Playing a short set in front of the sparse audience did not appear to negatively impact his passion, punch or power. Rummaging through both new and old songs Vandervelde and his band reverted back to the chunky hybrid of T Rex and A.M. – era Wilco to produce a potent rock n’ roll.
The second volume of Los Lobos’ Live Recordings series supplies multiple reminders why this is not just another band from East LA. The scholar/academician might look for more background content on the locale of such a recording as One Night One /Time Vol.2, and perhaps some rationale from the band (especially archivist/producer of this title, Lobos’ Cesar Roas), as to why this particular show deserves preservation for posterity.
We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality." That’s a pretty bold claim from Lou Reed regarding his collaboration with Metallica, a collaboration most view as bizarre, but Reed seems to think is quite natural. Unfortunately, those are only words and not a true reflection of what the two disparate rock forces achieve throughout most of their album, Lulu.
The visceral impact of Matthew Sweet’s rock and roll has placed him somewhat erroneously in the power pop genre when in fact, instead of grabbing the listener as do the hook-laden likes of his peer Tommy Keene, Sweet’s guitar-rock insinuates itself as you hear it.
One of the most captivating musical characteristics of Esperanza Spalding is the way she uses her phenomenal voice as an instrument. Her vocal presence appears to act as a guide at times for the pieces. Communication is essential for musicians when performing together and when Spalding sings in a scat manner or just free-flowing, the sound seems to define what she is thinking right at the moment; something that can equally be translated from the other musicians onstage.
This album may be a bit too accessible and/or soft for fans of the harder edged rock-leaning work from his mid-career, but Ashes & Fire reaffirms Ryan Adams as a leader among singer-songwriters, and after the turmoil of the past few years it’s delightful to see him back on top of his game.
While the lyrics and background vocals leave much to be desired, with this album Kasabian are clearly taking steps to improve as a band and release a collection of songs illuminating their goals and plans for the future.
Acclaimed modernist pop band ISLANDS will release their new album A Sleep & A Forgetting this February 14th via Anti-Records. In anticipation, the band will be performing a very special
The co-headling Dawes/Blitzen Trapper bill made for a quintessential first week gig at Phoenix’s new Crescent Ballroom. The Ballroom offers excellent sight lines along with small bleacher section, good beer, no douche-bag staff – allowing the venue to appear it was built from a indie record store war-room strategy – “how to build a kick-ass music room.” And here were two bands that have experience playing both big and small stages and who play with an experimental folk side that are influenced by Jackson Browne to the Flaming Lips.
Welch and Rawlings’ show at the Fillmore yet again showed why they’re leaders of the Americana and bluegrass world. Their songs have an enchanting solemnity, gravity of earthly knowledge and simple chords and instruments that manage to convey a vast spread of emotions and rhythms.
